The second volume of Péter Nádas’ memoir clarifies what is initially left hanging in the first volume, with more emphasis on his experiences growing up to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Still employing a stream-of-consciousness narrative, Nádas doesn’t spare readers with a non-chronological timeline, making his story unfold seamlessly across different periods. However, this second volume focuses more on contemporary events and those of the 20th century compared to the first volume, which is broader in scope. Overall, I found this second volume easier to follow.

It begins with a contemporary journey to La Vernet Internment Camp in the French Pyrenees, where Nádas’ uncle Pal Aranyossi was interned during World War II. This sets the stage for a reflection on the conditions of the concentration camp during that era, drawing comparisons to other accounts of similar camps, such as Primo Levi's experiences in Auschwitz. Particularly fascinating to me is Nádas’ exploration of his aunt Magda Nádas-Aranyossi’s friendship with German author Anna Seghers, both women having their husbands interred at La Vernet camp. Seghers would later draw inspiration from her own experiences for her novel Transit. Nádas’ personal insights, based on his aunt's account, help me understand Seghers’ work more, shedding light on the difficulties experienced by a destitute woman during the war, who had to face the endless bureaucratic hassles to immigrate while having to care for her two children in the absence of her husband.

Nádas’ memoir also delves into his own psychological journey toward becoming a writer, influenced by his tumultuous upbringing. Raised by Communist parents who were involved in the illegal Communist movement before the siege and later involved with the Communist administration after the Second World War, Nádas was forced to mature quickly, taking on parental responsibilities for his younger brother. Yet, tragedy struck early in his life with the death of both parents, leaving him and his brother as orphans under the care of their aunt Magda Nádas-Aranyossi. While the first volume detailed Nádas’ life in his aunt’s household, this second volume focuses more on his earlier years with his parents before their early passing.

The memoir also offers Nádas’ perspective on the significance of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, analysing its outcome and why it failed to bring lasting change. Through meticulous detail, he paints a vivid picture of the uprising, highlighting the lack of concrete reform proposals and the failure of support from countries in the Western bloc to materialise. Contrary to popular belief, Nádas argues that the revolution was not inherently anti-socialist or anti-Communist but rather anti-Stalinist, representing Hungary’s desire for socialism without Soviet influence, akin to Titoist Yugoslavia.

Both volumes of the memoir provide invaluable insights into contemporary Hungary, offering nuanced perspectives on its political leanings and close relationship with Russia despite its democratic institutions and EU membership. Nádas’ reflections help to unravel the complexities behind Hungary’s political landscape, grappling with the tensions between democracy, republicanism, and its historical legacies of tyranny.